Neil Warnock has been confirmed as the new manager of Championship side Leeds United, and pledged to guide the club into the Premier League before his contract expires at the end of next season.

Passionate: Neil Warnock has been named the new Leeds manager (Picture: PA)

The former QPR manager, who has been out of work for just a month since being sacked by the top-flight strugglers, takes over from Simon Grayson – who lost his job just over a fortnight ago.

Speaking about his appointment, Warnock said he believes he has ‘one big challenge left’ – and that is to guide the Whites, currently 11th in the second tier, back into the top division.

‘Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League,’ said Warnock, whose initial contract is just 18 months long.

‘I want to be the man who is able to deliver this for a set of fans who never cease to amaze me with their numbers and their loyalty.’

Luciano Becchio, Ross McCormack and the rest of the Leeds United squad have endured an up-and-down season so far (Picture: PA)

Warnock will not take charge straight away – instead leaving current caretaker boss Neil Redfearn to deal with today’s game against Doncaster before he comes in on Monday with a view to putting in place a new backroom staff.

Speaking about the appointment of the ex-Sheffield United boss, who has guided both the Blades (2005) and QPR (2011) into the top flight in recent years, Leeds chairman Ken Bates said it is ‘arguably the most important we have made’.

Warnock has a reputation as a bit of a character among football fans (Picture: PA)

‘The objective was to appoint a manager who had for a proven track record of getting teams promoted and in Neil we have a man whose record is second to none,’ he said.

‘We want to be in the Premier League and we will support Neil in the quest to get us there.’